video; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

Hey there, friends! I have a little poem I wrote for you. Yes, you.

[Well, he actually wrote it for Merlin, but who's nitpicking? He reaches for a piece of paper he composed his masterpiece on, clears his throat, and recites:]

My magic is green,
But also dark,
After hearing my terrible poetry
Are you feeling a little spark?

... No? [There's a lingering grin on his face, before he screws up the paper and tosses it over his shoulder.] Oh well! I'll think of something catchier next time.

Anyway, now that I've got your attention, I just wanted to let everyone know that earlier last month, me and a couple of pals did a little exploring in the desert on the north side of the island. It was a long journey, but eventually we found what I can only call a huge whirlpool of sand.

I would have loved to have gotten closer to see what was causing it, but the sandstorms around it were way too strong. My guess has to be some powerful being hiding inside it, or maybe some strong magics were cast on the area to keep out intruders. For now, it's a dead end.

It did get me wondering, though: has anyone done any exploring of their own around the island? What did you find?

Comments

[inemeraldfaith]

I. Uhm.
It's... something.

[How very descriptive of her.]

I hope you're not using that to serenade someone. I think poetry is a little more profound? Probably talks about eyes and souls a lot. Or tells a story.

[leicesters]

I see, I see. Well then!

[He's going to grab more paper and ink, and scratches his head as he scribbles something else down off screen for a few minutes.

Then he recites his latest masterpiece:]

Your critical eyes peer into my tortured poet soul,
These words tell a profound love story,
Gaining your approval is my goal,
Maybe now I'll attain literary glory?

[inemeraldfaith]

[...Did he just try to write her personal poetry? She's laughing.]

I mean. That's better. Kind of!
But I'm no expert. If you like poetry, though, I'm sure I have some books I can lend you.

[leicesters]

No worries there! I shall consult the complete poetical works of one Count Gloucester, and will be well on my way to mastering the art of rhyme and meter that can sway the heart in no time.

[Claude you didn't even try to think about meter in any of these attempts.]

[inemeraldfaith]

Just whose heart are you trying to sway? You'll have an easier time if you get to know them. It's easier to write poetry about someone you remotely know and it'll be tailored to them, too, so it would probably make them feel special.

[leicesters]

Anyone's? Everyone's? The quest wasn't very specific, you see.

[inemeraldfaith]

Ohhhhh.
Well, that might be kind of hard. You'll have more luck if you tailor your poetry to a specific person.

[leicesters]

Just like you liked the second poem more when I wrote it for you?

[inemeraldfaith]

I liked it more than the first one. But to be fair! You don't know much about me personally, so it'd be hard for you to tailor something to me so quickly. But you've got the general idea down, yes.

[leicesters]

In that case, we'll just have to get to know each other better, and you can have all the awful, personalised poetry you can ever want.

[what a proposition......]

[inemeraldfaith]

Oh, boy. Sounds like a real treat. Guess I'll have to write you some bad poetry, too. We can compete over whose is worse.

[leicesters]

Want to write me some now? I'd love to hear it!

[more like he'd love to give Lorenz a stroke]

Voice; @rose_of_gloucester

[silky_bearing]

My dear lady, please. Save your breath, I fear you are speaking to an ill-mannered buffoon who does not know the first thing about poetry, nor does he care. Your good intentions are wasted here.

Attempting to educate him in the finer points of expressing oneself and one's feelings is something that is, regrettably, far beyond his ken

[inemeraldfaith]

Well—
I mean. Trying never really hurts anyone and I wasn't trying particularly hard. But if you're a friend of his, maybe he'd take it more seriously coming from you?

[silky_bearing]

If I were inclined to encourage him he, likely, would do precisely the opposite just to be contrary. That's the sort of person he is. And if he did write more he would merely continue to make a mockery of a magnificent form of art. I'll not have it.

[inemeraldfaith]

If you put it like that, you make it sound like you're the poet. In which case, you should be the one educating him. But I guess it'd be kind of hopeless if he's just going to do the opposite of what you tell him.

[She taps at her chin thoughtfully.] It sounds very intentional on his part. He seemed kind of receptive when I was talking to him about it.

[silky_bearing]

Ah, n-no... I'm no poet, merely a fond patron of the arts.

[As a noble he has more important things to concern himself with than art, don't you know.]

It is rather intentional. Anything he can do to be infuriating, it seems, is his preferred course of action.

[inemeraldfaith]

If that's true, then if you stopped reacting, he'd probably stop... you know. Doing what he's doing. If he's just doing it for the reaction, once you ignore him, I bet that'd just backfire on him.

voice; because you have to deal with the consequences of your actions, sir

[silky_bearing]

I BEG YOUR PARDON!?

You will do no such thing! I- [Wait hold on- he needs to backpedal a bit here.] I've no idea how you've gotten it into your fool head that I would even write poetry but even if I did I certainly wouldn't allow you to read it!!!!

[leicesters]

[uh oh, busted]

Oh, Lorenz. Is that you? I'm afraid I can't hear you properly! There's a fault with the network!

[silky_bearing]

Oh is there?!

[Hmm... is that the sound of footsteps? the sharp click of heels on stone and a door slamming??

He knows where you live, Claude, and he is absolutely not afraid to track you down to lecture you face to face.]

[leicesters]

[Oh crap. Time to turn off the phone and make a run for it!]

[silky_bearing]

[You have to come home sometime. He's just going to sit on your stairs and cover them in roses while he waits. Good magic practice. Spite.]

[leicesters]

[Scary... Maybe he can sneak by him with shadow magic and hope he doesn't notice the door cracking open and shut...?]

[silky_bearing]

[After Byleth stomping on his dramatics he... might be a little more... sadly toying with roses by the time Claude gets back, oops.]